Alfie Kohn On School Bully

Alfie Kohn says the definition of bullying is, “a hostile action or pattern of abuse, intimidation, or harassment over time-in which those who are smaller or weaker are victimized by those who are larger or stronger” (Kohn). Alfie Kohn is a writer for books on education, parenting, and human behavior. He wrote for Education Week. In the past years bullying has affected many people’s lives. Since schools are starting to get intervention programs to stop bullying and bullying can happen for many reasons, but it needs to stop, punishment methods need to be more effective.

The normal punishments students get for bullying don’t work. Students who don’t follow rules get punishments like expulsion, suspension, and don’t get to do fun activities

Studies in the United States and Sweden show that bullies usually grow up in an environment where harsh punishments are used (Kohn). Some students bully because they have an abusive environment at home and could be bullied by their siblings (Gordon). Students also bully other students with less power (Ayers, Wagaman, Geiger, Bermudez-Parsai, Hedberg). They want power over other people like adults (Gordon). Bullying might happen because people are of a different religion, race, or sexual orientation (Gordon). The bully will get pleasure out of bullying (Gordon). Bullying gives students something exciting to do (Gordon). Students who want attention will pick on other kids (Gordon). Popular students will intimidate students who aren’t popular or socially awkward (Gordon). Kids will spread rumors to about kids who are shy or not as popular (Gordon). Severely bullied students might want to get back at the bully and will become a bully themselves (Gordon). The big reason that students might bully is to fit in (Gordon). Everyone wants a friend and wants to fit in (Gordon). Some people will do anything to have that. (Gordon). There are all different kinds of reasons why students bully. The regular punishment methods do not help fix these

Some places are working really hard to stop all forms of bullying. Kentucky’s Bill came up with a definition of bullying (suski). This will allow school to clearly see if a student is getting bullied (Suski). 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws for Anti-bullying (Suski). Anti-bullying programs are being made at schools (Suski). Parent meetings or conferences were effective in anti-bullying Programs (Ayers, Wagaman, Geiger, Bermudez-Parsai, Hedberg). Emily Suski says interventions on social skills would really help students (Suski). Emily Suski works at the University of South Carolina as an Assistant Professor of Law. She studied school’s authorities and the rights students have. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and the U.S. Department of Education is working to help bullying by using interventions (Suski). In 2015 Nevada spent $16 million to get social workers for bullying. These methods of helping students would really help schools. It will help the students become more social and better